Silent birth is the recommended child birth practice of Scientology. No one should speak and absolute silence is ideal but not necessarily expected. <ref>[http://www.scientologynews.org/faq/what-is-silent-birth.html]</ref> Birthing mothers are also encouraged to forego pain relief drugs, following the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard, but it is not mandatory. <ref>[http://www.scientologyparent.com/silent-birth/silent-birth-questions-answers/]</ref>

Silent birth is the recommended child birth practice of Scientology. No one should speak and absolute silence is ideal but not necessarily expected. <ref>[http://www.scientologynews.org/faq/what-is-silent-birth.html]</ref> Birthing mothers are also encouraged to forego pain relief drugs, following the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard, but it is not mandatory. <ref>[http://www.scientologyparent.com/silent-birth/silent-birth-questions-answers/]</ref>

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The church strongly opposes psychiatry and "mind-altering drugs" which it considers to be destructive. It does not oppose other medical treatments. Scientology opposes the consumption of recreational drugs. It justifies these claims by their alleged results while practicing Scientology (rather like the [[Just hit your knees]] argument):

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The church strongly opposes psychiatry and "mind-altering drugs" which it considers to be destructive. Front groups for the church, incuding Narconon and [http://www.drugfreeworld.org/ drugfreeworld.org], spread their message in a supposedly secular fashion. Scientology does not oppose other medical treatments. Scientology opposes the consumption of recreational drugs. It justifies these claims by their alleged results while practicing Scientology (rather like the [[Just hit your knees]] argument):

{{quote|one discovers for oneself that the principles of Scientology are true by applying its principles and observing or experiencing the results. <ref>[http://www.scientology.org.uk/what-is-scientology.htm]</ref>}}

{{quote|one discovers for oneself that the principles of Scientology are true by applying its principles and observing or experiencing the results. <ref>[http://www.scientology.org.uk/what-is-scientology.htm]</ref>}}

Revision as of 02:41, 25 May 2017

The Church of Scientology is a cult/religion created by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s. It is a proselytic organization, drawing in new members through free "personality tests". Scientology is secretive group: most members are not aware of the entire dogma or practices of the organization. To progress within Scientology and become initiated into the core theology, expensive fees must be paid. When revealed, the core beliefs of Scientology read like a bad science fiction novel.

The group is notorious for using intimidation, harassment and legal threats in an attempt silence its opponents, especially those who try to convince Scientologists to leave the organization, those who attempt to demonstrate the cult-like nature of the organization, and those who expose Scientology secrets that are supposed to be reserved for senior-level Scientologists. Scientologists are required to shun family members and friends who do not approve of Scientology.

Based on their absurd beliefs and statements of their founder and members, Scientology is nothing more than a grandiose money-making scam invented by an unscrupulous charlatan with no regard for the psychological well-being of others. The Church is extremely wealthy and draws attention from the fact that several prominent celebrities are members. The Church is avidly opposed to the fields of psychiatry and psychology (while itself using a form of psychotherapy).

Contents

Beliefs

Scientology is an unusual religion in that its dogma is not outwardly publicized by the group. This is similar to the mystery cults of the ancient Greek world. However, ex-members have leaked documentation that describes their core theology and practices. Scientology is extremely fond of jargon, with a whole galaxy of terminology that is used to describe its world view. [3]

Auditing, E-meter, Security Checks

A scientologist conducting the usual "free stress test" scam, with an E-meter on the table. The woman on the left is holding an electrode in each hand.

Scientologists often prosthelytize using a "personality test" or a "free stress test". No matter how one scores on Scientology's personality test, the tester informs the inductee that that there is something wrong with their personality that Scientology can help with. This leads to a process called "auditing", a form of psychotherapy based on the pre-existing idea of person-centered therapy[4], involving a device called an E-meter. The E-meter is a device with two handles that measures the electrical resistance in the human body. The E-Meter is a variation of a Wheatstone Bridge, which determines resistance of an unknown component, in this case, the skin of the subject. Due to galvanic skin response, the resistance of skin can vary significantly in conjunction with the state of mind of the subject. [5] According to Scientology doctrine, this device measures "thetans", which are distraught souls inhabiting our body. By auditing, Scientologists hope to achieve what they call "clear" which is supposedly a higher mental state. [6]

The e-meter is primarily used as a tool for "auditing", however, it is also used as a makeshift lie detector during "Security Checks", which are semi-annual interrogations used to discover criminal and subversive behavior in people as young as 6 years. The church may use information derived from these checks to blackmail individuals who become critical of the cult. The church has methods of interrogating even uncooperative subjects. By strapping the e-meter's electrodes to the soles of the feet, or into the armpits of the subject and asking questions, the interrogator can attempt to determine answers even if the subject refuses to speak. However, attempting to detect a lie using this or any other current technology is mere pseudoscience. [7] The E-meter is more effective as a tool of intimidation and deception, rather than being an effective lie detector.

Thetans and Xenu

Scientology has various stages that members pass through, which get progressively more expensive as the Scientologist is compelled to purchase more and more materials and books related to the doctrine. After spending about $150,000, [8] the Scientologist reaches stage OT III, short for "Operating Thetan level 3", where the secret story behind the thetans is revealed. This story has been leaked by people who have escaped from the religion with written documentation that the church has claimed as its copyrighted material; this has inadvertently authenticated its content!

It begins 75 million years ago with a galactic dictator named Xenu, who had a problem with overpopulation on many of the planets he ruled over. He tricked billions of aliens into being frozen and loaded onto rocket ships which were exactly like DC-8 airliners except with rocket engines. The rocket ships were sent to Earth, then called "Teegeeack", and the aliens were placed next to several specifically named volcanoes (most of which were not even in existence 75 million years ago, unbeknownst to geologists of Hubbard's time), and exploded with hydrogen bombs. The souls of the dead aliens are said to have roamed the Earth until they could find human bodies to attach to. Scientologists proclaim that thetans occupying our bodies are the source of all our mental problems, and that Scientology is the only way to get rid of the thetans. The way to remove the thetans is covered in later courses, up to OT VIII, which contains the most secret doctrines in Scientology.

"The average cost for Scientology to OT VIII is a mere USD 360,000 [9]"

Of course, there is no evidence that any of this is true apart from the say so of L. Ron Hubbard. The adult cartoon comedy series South Park adapted this story as part of their show [22].

Other beliefs

Scientologists generally believe that humans are immortal spirits that have past lives and will be reincarnated; although the church distances itself from the eastern concept of reincarnation. [10] They believe in a supreme being they refer to as the Eighth Dynamic but the concept is loosely defined so as to be arguably compatible with other monotheistic religions. Scientology teaches that man's potential capabilities are infinite but not yet fully realized.

Silent birth is the recommended child birth practice of Scientology. No one should speak and absolute silence is ideal but not necessarily expected. [11] Birthing mothers are also encouraged to forego pain relief drugs, following the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard, but it is not mandatory. [12]

The church strongly opposes psychiatry and "mind-altering drugs" which it considers to be destructive. Front groups for the church, incuding Narconon and drugfreeworld.org, spread their message in a supposedly secular fashion. Scientology does not oppose other medical treatments. Scientology opposes the consumption of recreational drugs. It justifies these claims by their alleged results while practicing Scientology (rather like the Just hit your knees argument):

"one discovers for oneself that the principles of Scientology are true by applying its principles and observing or experiencing the results. [13]"

Fair game

Protests by the Internet collective Anonymous made public opposition to Scientology easier

Fair game is (or was) a Scientology practice that allows for any and all methods to be employed against the church's enemies. It was instituted in 1950s, supposedly cancelled in 1968 but mentioned in internal documents until at least 1980. In 1985, the church argued in a US court that "fair game" was a "core" practice in Scientology and therefore was protected under the First amendment which guarantees religious freedom (the court rejected this argument). [14] Perhaps because of this policy, critics of the church are often objected to intimidation, harassment, character assassination and other legal or illegal measures. [15] The cancellation of "fair game" in 1968 merely only forbade the use of that term and not the practice of harassing critics. [16]

"Fair game. May be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed. [17]"

The church denies "fair game" was a mandate for illegal punishment. Some have claimed that other policies are more significant in explaining the churches actions, such as "The Responsibilities of Leaders". [18] Harassment of critics by the church continues to this day and is referred to as fair game by the church's critics.

"People attack Scientology, I never forget it, always even the score. People attack auditors, or staff, or organizations, or me. I never forget until the slate is clear."

— L. Ron Hubbard

"A truly Suppressive Person or group has no rights of any kind and actions taken against them are not punishable."

The Sea Organisation or "Sea Org" is a religious/paramilitary order of the most dedicated Scientologists and the church leadership. It has been discribed as a "cult within a cult". [19] Many of the church functions are carried out by Sea Org members. Members are expected to commit to the organization with a billion-year contract. Rank and file Sea Org members are provided with basic shared sleeping quarters and a basic income but are not allowed to have children or marry outside the organisation. Women who become pregnant are required to have an abortion, which in some cases is allegedly coerced, or leave. Contact with people outside Scientology is strictly limited, with their communications and activities being monitored. Many stories of long working hours and abuse have surfaced from people who have left the organization. The organisation is accused of holding people in isolation in poor conditions as a means of punishment, either by force or by the fear of being shunned by their social group. [20][21]

Significant court cases

The Church of Scientology and their associates are vexatious litigants and have been involved in many court cases. [22]

"The purpose of the suit is to harass and discourage rather than win."

— L. Ron Hubbard, The Scientologist, a Manual on the Dissemination of Material, 1955

Allard v. Church of Scientology of California, 1974-1976 - Gene Allard stated he wished to leave Sea Org in 1969 and was told if he left without permission, he would be "fair game". Allard took financial records to the government tax authorities and alleged there were improper changes in records. The church accused Allard of theft. This case had the "fair game" statements made by the church entered as evidence. The courts decided in favour of Allard. [23]

Wollersheim vs. Church of Scientology, 1986 - Lawrence Wollersheim sued the church for mental distress and won.

Hernandez v. Commissioner 1989 - found that in the US, fees paid to the church are not tax deductible charitable donations.

Church of Scientology International v. Fishman and Geertz, 1993 - Steven Fishman was convicted of fraud in 1988; some of the proceeds were used to pay for Scientology courses. In 1991, his claims that he was brainwashed into performing crimes and was ordered to murder someone where published by Time magazine. The church sued for slander and Fishman produced an affidavit that provided a major leak of secret Scientology doctrine. The church eventually dropped its libel case in 1994.

Church of Scientology of California v. Armstrong [23], 1991-1994 - Armstrong was a member of Sea Org from approximately 1971 to 1981. In 1980, he discovered a cache of early writings of L. Ron Hubbard and began collaborating on an authorised biography of Hubbard. After discovering conflicting information, he came into conflict with church officials. In 1981, Armstrong and his wife left the church and was declared "fair game". Fearing for his safety, he gave church documents to his attorney. The church sued that he had released documents without authorisation but the courts ruled that Armstrong had a constitutional right to provide an attorney of his choice with documents. [24]

The Cult Awareness Network was driven into bankruptcy in part by costs incurred in litigation with the church (1991-1995).

Karin Spaink, a Dutch journalist who had quoted doctrine from the Fishman affidavit, was sued by the church in attempt to silence her between 1995-2005. The courts upheld the right to quote from church doctrines if it serves a higher goal.

Bonnie Woods vs. Scientology Court Case, 1999 - Bonnie Woods and her husband were liabled by the Church of Scientology. Woods won their case and Scientology's counter suits were dismissed with prejudice.

Religious Technology Center v. Freie Zone E. V, 2000 - The church unsuccessfully tried to gain the ownership of the www.scientologie.org domain from a break away Scientology group called Free Zone.